U.S. patent number 11,357,672 [Application Number 16/348,246] was granted by the patent office on 2022-06-14 for individually packaged absorbent article, absorbent article, and method for folding absorbent article.
This patent grant is currently assigned to DAIO PAPER CORPORATION. The grantee listed for this patent is DAIO PAPER CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Susumu Yonaha.
United States Patent |
11,357,672 |
Yonaha |
June 14, 2022 |
Individually packaged absorbent article, absorbent article, and
method for folding absorbent article
Abstract
An individually-packaged absorbent article or an absorbent
article. The absorbent article (1) includes a hip-hold portion (H)
that includes a side area (10) protruding from a rear side-edge of
a body (8). The side area (10) includes a first protruding portion
(21) that includes a portion having a largest width from a
longitudinal centerline (CL) of the body (8), a first recessed
portion (31) adjacent to the rear end of the first protruding
portion (21), and a second recessed portion (32) adjacent to the
front end of the first protruding portion (21). The absorbent
article (1) is folded such that a mountain fold line (Y) is formed
in the side area (10) of the hip-hold portion (H), and the mountain
fold line (Y) intersects with an edge of the side area (10) of the
hip-hold portion (H) at a position between a first inflection point
(F1) between the first recessed portion (31) and the first
protruding portion (21) and a second inflection point (F2) between
the first protruding portion (21) and the second recessed portion
(32), and is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal
centerline (CL).
Inventors: |
Yonaha; Susumu (Tochigi,
JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DAIO PAPER CORPORATION |
Ehime |
N/A |
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
DAIO PAPER CORPORATION (Ehime,
JP)
|
Family
ID: |
1000006371974 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/348,246 |
Filed: |
October 24, 2017 |
PCT
Filed: |
October 24, 2017 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/JP2017/038403 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
May 08, 2019 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2018/096865 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
May 31, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20190254890 A1 |
Aug 22, 2019 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
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Nov 25, 2016 [JP] |
|
|
JP2016-229538 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F
13/476 (20130101); A61F 13/47 (20130101); A61F
13/15747 (20130101); A61F 13/56 (20130101); A61F
13/5514 (20130101); A61F 13/472 (20130101); A61F
13/15 (20130101); A61F 13/15739 (20130101); A61F
13/5616 (20130101); A61F 2013/4708 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61F
13/551 (20060101); A61F 13/15 (20060101); A61F
13/472 (20060101); A61F 13/476 (20060101); A61F
13/56 (20060101); A61F 13/47 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3871611 |
|
Jan 2007 |
|
JP |
|
2010-082061 |
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Apr 2010 |
|
JP |
|
2011-172658 |
|
Sep 2011 |
|
JP |
|
5082007 |
|
Nov 2012 |
|
JP |
|
5947517 |
|
Jul 2016 |
|
JP |
|
2010/038605 |
|
Apr 2010 |
|
WO |
|
2013/024605 |
|
Feb 2013 |
|
WO |
|
2014/157325 |
|
Oct 2014 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
International Search Report for PCT/JP2017/038403 dated Dec. 26,
2017. cited by applicant .
Extended European search report for European Patent Application No.
17873189.9 dated Aug. 2, 2019. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Kidwell; Michele M
Attorney, Agent or Firm: IPUSA, PLLC
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An individually-packaged absorbent article, comprising: an
absorbent article including a body that includes a permeable
upper-side sheet, an impermeable back-side sheet, and an absorbent
disposed between the upper-side sheet and the back-side sheet; and
a packaging sheet that individually packages the absorbent article,
wherein the body has a shape having a predetermined length in a
longitudinal direction and a predetermined width in a direction
orthogonal to the longitudinal direction; the absorbent article
includes a hip-hold portion that includes a side area protruding
from a rear side-edge of the body, the side area including a first
protruding portion that includes a portion having a largest width
from a longitudinal centerline of the body, a first recessed
portion adjacent to a rear end of the first protruding portion, and
a second recessed portion adjacent to a front end of the first
protruding portion; the absorbent article is folded such that a
mountain fold line is formed in the side area of the hip-hold
portion; and the mountain fold line intersects with an edge of the
side area of the hip-hold portion at a position between a first
inflection point between the first recessed portion and the first
protruding portion and a second inflection point between the first
protruding portion and the second recessed portion, and is
substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal centerline.
2. The individually-packaged absorbent article as claimed in claim
1, wherein the side area of the hip-hold portion is folded along a
longitudinal fold line extending in the longitudinal direction; and
each of an angle formed between the mountain fold line and a
straight line that passes through an intersection point of an
extension of the mountain fold line with the longitudinal fold line
and a bottom point of the first recessed portion, and an angle
formed between the mountain fold line and a straight line that
passes through the intersection point and a bottom point of the
second recessed portion is between 30 degrees and 60 degrees.
3. The individually-packaged absorbent article as claimed in claim
2, wherein a slip stopper for fixing the absorbent article is
provided on the back-side sheet in the side area; and the slip
stopper is disposed to cross the straight line passing through the
intersection point and the bottom point of the second recessed
portion.
4. An absorbent article, comprising: a body that includes a
permeable upper-side sheet, an impermeable back-side sheet, and an
absorbent disposed between the upper-side sheet and the back-side
sheet, wherein the body has a shape having a predetermined length
in a longitudinal direction and a predetermined width in a
direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction; the absorbent
article further comprises a hip-hold portion that includes a side
area protruding from a rear side-edge of the body, the side area
including a first protruding portion that includes a portion having
a largest width from a longitudinal centerline of the body, a first
recessed portion adjacent to a rear end of the first protruding
portion, and a second recessed portion adjacent to a front end of
the first protruding portion; a mountain fold line is formed in the
side area of the hip-hold portion; and the mountain fold line
intersects with an edge of the side area of the hip-hold portion at
a position between a first inflection point between the first
recessed portion and the first protruding portion and a second
inflection point between the first protruding portion and the
second recessed portion, and is substantially orthogonal to the
longitudinal centerline.
5. A method of folding an absorbent article that includes a body
including a permeable upper-side sheet, an impermeable back-side
sheet, and an absorbent disposed between the upper-side sheet and
the back-side sheet, the body having a shape that has a
predetermined length in a longitudinal direction and a
predetermined width in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal
direction, the absorbent article including a hip-hold portion that
includes a side area protruding from a rear side-edge of the body,
and the side area including a first protruding portion that
includes a portion having a largest width from a longitudinal
centerline of the body, a first recessed portion adjacent to a rear
end of the first protruding portion, and a second recessed portion
adjacent to a front end of the first protruding portion, the method
comprising: folding the absorbent article such that a mountain fold
line is formed in the side area of the hip-hold portion, wherein
the mountain fold line intersects with an edge of the side area of
the hip-hold portion at a position between a first inflection point
between the first recessed portion and the first protruding portion
and a second inflection point between the first protruding portion
and the second recessed portion, and is substantially orthogonal to
the longitudinal centerline.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an individually-packaged absorbent
article, an absorbent article, and a method for folding an
absorbent article.
BACKGROUND ART
Known absorbent articles such as a pantiliner, a sanitary napkin,
and an incontinence pad are made by sandwiching an absorbent
between a permeable upper-side and an impermeable back-side
sheet.
Also, a recent absorbent article includes a portion (hip-hold
portion) for holding a hip, which is formed by increasing the
length and width of rear side-portions and a rear-end portion of
the absorbent article to prevent leakage of a body fluid from the
absorbent article in backward and/or obliquely-backward
directions.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a sanitary napkin
including a rear flap that includes a front widening portion whose
half width in the lateral direction gradually increases from a
starting point at which the half width is minimum to a backward
position, a middle portion having an edge parallel to a
longitudinal centerline, and a rear converging portion whose half
width gradually decreases toward the rear end.
Patent Document 2 discloses an absorbent article including a rear
flap that includes an impermeable sheet and a nonwoven fabric
stacked on a skin-contacting side of the impermeable sheet.
The rigidity of the rear flap of Patent Document 2 is increased by
forming, through hot embossing, an indented pattern on the
multilayer structure of the impermeable sheet and the nonwoven
fabric.
Also, Patent Document 3 discloses an absorbent article that has a
long length and includes a pair of three-dimensional gathers formed
on sides of the absorbent article along the longitudinal direction
and a pair of rear flaps extending outward in a width direction
from side edges of a rear area of the absorbent article.
Here, when an absorbent article including a hip-hold portion and
having a long product length as that in Patent Documents 1-3 is
individually packaged (individually packaged) for portability, the
absorbent article is preferably folded at fold lines that are
provided at intervals in the longitudinal direction.
Patent Document 3 discloses providing three fold lines extending in
a width direction of an absorbent article. In Patent Document 3,
the positions of two fold lines closer to the ends of the absorbent
article are defined in relation to positions at which the ends of
elastic parts of three-dimensional gathers are fixed.
RELATED-ART DOCUMENTS
Patent Documents
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 5082007
[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent No. 3871611
[Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent No. 5947517
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
However, the rear flaps of the absorbent articles having shapes as
described in Patent Documents 1-3 cannot flexibly deform along the
round shape of a hip. Accordingly, the rear flaps may not fit the
hip well.
Also, although Patent Document 3 discloses how to fold a long
absorbent article, the positional relationship between the shape of
a hip-hold portion and fold lines is not taken into account in the
absorbent article of Patent Document 3.
The present invention is made in view of the above problems of the
related-art technologies. An object of the present invention is to
provide an individually-packaged absorbent article that can better
fit a body and can prevent or reduce discomfort due to, for
example, wrinkles formed in a hip-hold portion.
Means for Solving the Problems
To solve the above problems, a first embodiment of the present
invention provides an individually-packaged absorbent article that
includes an absorbent article including a body that includes a
permeable upper-side sheet, an impermeable back-side sheet, and an
absorbent disposed between the upper-side sheet and the back-side
sheet, and a packaging sheet that individually packages the
absorbent article. The body has a shape having a predetermined
length in a longitudinal direction and a predetermined width in a
direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The absorbent
article includes a hip-hold portion that includes a side area
protruding from a rear side-edge of the body, and the side area
includes a first protruding portion that includes a portion having
a largest width from a longitudinal centerline of the body, a first
recessed portion adjacent to a rear end of the first protruding
portion, and a second recessed portion adjacent to a front end of
the first protruding portion. The absorbent article is folded such
that a mountain fold line is formed in the side area of the
hip-hold portion, and the mountain fold line intersects with an
edge of the side area of the hip-hold portion at a position between
a first inflection point between the first recessed portion and the
first protruding portion and a second inflection point between the
first protruding portion and the second recessed portion, and is
substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal centerline.
In the first embodiment, the side area of the hip-hold portion
includes the first protruding portion including a portion having a
largest width from the longitudinal centerline of the body, the
first recessed portion adjacent to the rear end of the first
protruding portion, and the second recessed portion adjacent to the
front end of the first protruding portion.
With this configuration, when the hip-hold portion is brought into
contact with the hip to wear the absorbent article, the first
protruding portion can deform relatively independently without
affecting the portions before and after the first protruding
portion.
This deformation enables the hip-hold portion to flexibly deform
along the curved shape (round shape) of the hip, and enables the
hip-hold portion to better fit the body.
Also in the present embodiment, when the absorbent article is
individually packaged, the absorbent article is folded such that a
mountain fold line is formed in the side area of the hip-hold
portion, and the mountain fold line intersects with an edge of the
side area of the hip-hold portion at a position between the first
inflection point between the first recessed portion and the first
protruding portion and the second inflection point between the
first protruding portion and the second recessed portion, and is
substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal centerline.
The mountain fold line protrudes toward the hip, and the protrusion
tends to initially contact the hip when the absorbent article is
worn.
When the hip-hold portion is pressed against the hip, the
protrusion is immediately pressed toward the underwear. As a
result, areas on the sides of the mountain fold line are naturally
pushed toward the first recessed portion and the second recessed
portion that are adjacent to the areas.
This pushing causes the widest first protruding portion to be
stretched in the longitudinal direction and thereby prevents
formation of wrinkles in the first protruding portion.
This in turn makes it possible to improve the wear comfort of the
absorbent article.
In the second embodiment of the present invention, the side area of
the hip-hold portion is folded along a longitudinal fold line
extending in the longitudinal direction; and each of an angle
formed between the mountain fold line and a straight line that
passes through an intersection point of an extension of the
mountain fold line with the longitudinal fold line and a bottom
point of the first recessed portion and an angle formed between the
mountain fold line and a straight line that passes through the
intersection point and a bottom point of the second recessed
portion is between 30 degrees and 60 degrees.
According to the second embodiment, the mountain fold line in the
side area of the hip-hold portion is formed in a predetermined
position relative to the first recessed portion and the second
recessed portion.
This configuration makes it possible to provide appropriate areas
on the sides of the first protruding portion so that a
wrinkle-forming force applied to the first protruding portion can
be transferred to surrounding areas, and thereby makes it possible
to reduce discomfort.
In a third embodiment of the present invention, a slip stopper for
fixing the absorbent article is provided on the back-side sheet in
the side area, and the slip stopper is disposed to cross the
straight line passing through the intersection point and the bottom
point of the second recessed portion.
According to the third embodiment, the slip stopper is disposed in
a position near the bottom point of the second recessed
portion.
With this configuration, even when stress is likely to excessively
concentrate on the second recessed portion adjacent to the front
end of the first protruding portion, the stress is distributed
because an area near the second recessed portion is fixed to the
underwear. Accordingly, this configuration makes it possible to
prevent or reduce formation of large wrinkles.
A fourth embodiment of the present invention provides an absorbent
article including a body that includes a permeable upper-side
sheet, an impermeable back-side sheet, and an absorbent disposed
between the upper-side sheet and the back-side sheet. The body has
a shape having a predetermined length in a longitudinal direction
and a predetermined width in a direction orthogonal to the
longitudinal direction. The absorbent article further includes a
hip-hold portion that includes a side area protruding from a rear
side-edge of the body. The side area includes a first protruding
portion that includes a portion having a largest width from a
longitudinal centerline of the body, a first recessed portion
adjacent to a rear end of the first protruding portion, and a
second recessed portion adjacent to a front end of the first
protruding portion. A mountain fold line is formed in the side area
of the hip-hold portion. The mountain fold line intersects with an
edge of the side area of the hip-hold portion at a position between
a first inflection point between the first recessed portion and the
first protruding portion and a second inflection point between the
first protruding portion and the second recessed portion, and is
substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal centerline.
The fourth embodiment can provide an absorbent article that has the
same advantageous effects as those of the first embodiment
described above.
Also, even when the absorbent article is individually packaged
without being folded or multiple absorbent articles are stacked and
packaged without being folded, the fourth embodiment can provide
the same advantageous effects as those provided by the first
embodiment.
A fifth embodiment of the present invention provides a method of
folding an absorbent article. The absorbent article includes a body
including a permeable upper-side sheet, an impermeable back-side
sheet, and an absorbent disposed between the upper-side sheet and
the back-side sheet. The body has a shape that has a predetermined
length in a longitudinal direction and a predetermined width in a
direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The absorbent
article also includes a hip-hold portion that includes a side area
protruding from a rear side-edge of the body, and the side area
includes a first protruding portion that includes a portion having
a largest width from a longitudinal centerline of the body, a first
recessed portion adjacent to a rear end of the first protruding
portion, and a second recessed portion adjacent to a front end of
the first protruding portion. The method includes folding the
absorbent article such that a mountain fold line is formed in the
side area of the hip-hold portion. The mountain fold line
intersects with an edge of the side area of the hip-hold portion at
a position between a first inflection point between the first
recessed portion and the first protruding portion and a second
inflection point between the first protruding portion and the
second recessed portion, and is substantially orthogonal to the
longitudinal centerline.
The fifth embodiment can provide a method of folding an absorbent
article that has the same advantageous effects as those of the
first embodiment described above.
Advantageous Effect of the Invention
An aspect of the present invention provides an
individually-packaged absorbent article that can better fit a body
and can prevent or reduce discomfort resulting from, for example,
wrinkles formed in a hip-hold portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a partially-cutaway view of an absorbent article
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of an
absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a part of a side area of a hip-hold
portion according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a part of a side area of a hip-hold
portion according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5A is a drawing illustrating a process of
individually-packaging an absorbent article according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5B is a drawing illustrating a process of
individually-packaging an absorbent article according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5C is a drawing illustrating a process of
individually-packaging an absorbent article according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5D is a drawing illustrating a process of
individually-packaging an absorbent article according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5E is a drawing illustrating a process of
individually-packaging an absorbent article according to an
embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating an absorbent article of an
embodiment of the present invention that is worn on a body.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Embodiments of the present invention are described below with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
<Absorbent Article>
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, an absorbent article 1 includes a
body (absorbent article body) 8 including an impermeable back-side
sheet 2, a permeable upper-side sheet 3, and an absorbent 4
disposed between the sheets 2 and 3.
The absorbent 4 may be enveloped in an enveloping sheet 5 made of,
for example, crepe paper or a nonwoven fabric to keep the shape of
the absorbent 4.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the absorbent article 1 also includes a
hip-hold portion H, a wing portion W including wings WG, and a
middle portion M disposed between the hip-hold portion H and the
wing portion W.
The hip-hold portion H may extend from the rear end of a crotch of
an underwear to the rear end of the absorbent article 1 when the
absorbent article 1 is worn, and the wing portion W may be an area
that extends from the front ends of the wings WG to the rear ends
of the wings WG.
The absorbent article 1 is used by attaching the absorbent article
1 to underwear such that the wing portion W faces forward and the
hip-hold portion H faces backward.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the body 8 has an elongated shape having
a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction and a
substantially constant width in a direction orthogonal to the
longitudinal direction.
The absorbent article 1 has a shape that is substantially
axisymmetrical with respect to a centerline CL extending in the
longitudinal direction.
At the front side edges and the rear side edges of the absorbent 4,
the outer edges of the back-side sheet 2 and the outer edges of the
upper-side sheet are bonded to each other by using, for example, an
adhesive such as a hot melt, heat sealing, or ultrasonic
sealing.
Also, side nonwoven fabrics 7 are provided on the sides of the
upper-side sheet 3 along the longitudinal direction.
The side nonwoven fabrics 7 partially protrude from the body 8 in
lateral directions and are stacked on the back-side sheet 2 also
protruding in the lateral directions. The side nonwoven fabrics 7
are bonded to the back-side sheet 2 by using, for example, an
adhesive such as a hot melt, heat sealing, or ultrasonic sealing
and form side areas 10 of the hip-hold portion H and the wings
WG.
The back-side sheet 2 may be implemented by an impermeable sheet
material such as an olefin resin sheet formed of, for example,
polyethylene or polypropylene.
Also, the back-side sheet 2 may be implemented by a laminated
nonwoven fabric formed by stacking a nonwoven fabric on, for
example, a polyethylene sheet, or a laminated sheet that is made
substantially impermeable by stacking a waterproof film between
nonwoven fabrics.
Further, a sheet having moisture permeability is more preferably
used to prevent stuffiness.
As an impermeable and moisture-permeable sheet, a microporous sheet
is preferably used. A microporous sheet is obtained by melt-mixing
an inorganic filler with an olefin resin such as polyethylene or
polypropylene to form a sheet, and by stretching the sheet
uniaxially or biaxially.
The upper-side sheet 3 is a permeable sheet through which body
fluids such as blood, discharge, and urine can permeate
rapidly.
The upper-side sheet 3 is preferably formed of a porous or
nonporous nonwoven fabric or a porous plastic sheet.
The nonwoven fabric may be formed by using one of or a combination
of two or more of the following materials: olefins such as
polyethylene and polypropylene, synthetic fibers such as polyester
and polyamide, regenerated fibers such as rayon and cupra, a blend
of these fibers, and natural fibers such as cotton.
The nonwoven fabric may be produced by, for example, spanlacing,
spunbonding, thermal bonding, melt-blowing, or needle punching.
Among these production methods, spunlacing is preferable to produce
a flexible nonwoven fabric, spunbonding is preferable to produce a
nonwoven fabric with good draping characteristics, and thermal
bonding is preferable to produce a bulky and soft nonwoven
fabric.
Also, bicomponent fibers may be used for the nonwoven fabric.
Examples of bicomponent fibers include a core-in-sheath fiber
including a high-melting-point fiber as a core and a
low-melting-point fiber as a sheath, a side-by-side fiber, and a
split fiber.
The absorbent 4 disposed between the back-side sheet 2 and the
upper-side sheet 3 preferably includes cotton pulp and an absorbent
polymer, but may be formed of any material capable of absorbing and
retaining body fluids.
A superabsorbent polymer (SAP) granular powder, a superabsorbent
polymer fiber (SAF), or a combination of these materials may be
used as the absorbent polymer.
Examples of the pulp include chemical pulp obtained from wood,
cellulose fibers such as dissolving pulp, and artificial cellulose
fibers such as rayon and acetate.
Hardwood and softwood may be used as the materials of the chemical
pulp, but softwood is preferably used because of its long fiber
length.
Synthetic fibers may also be added to the absorbent 4.
Examples of materials of the synthetic fibers include polyolefin
such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyester such as
polyethylene terephthalate or polybutylene terephthalate, polyamide
such as nylon, and a copolymer of these materials. Also, the
synthetic fibers may be formed by mixing two or more of these
materials.
Also, bicomponent fibers may be used for the synthetic fibers.
Examples of bicomponent fibers include a core-in-sheath fiber
including a high-melting-point fiber as a core and a
low-melting-point fiber as a sheath, a side-by-side fiber, and a
split fiber.
Further, a material obtained by surface-treating hydrophobic fibers
with a hydrophilic agent to have an affinity to body fluids may be
used as the synthetic fibers.
The thickness of the absorbent 4 is preferably between about 0.5 mm
and 25 mm.
The absorbent 4 may not necessarily have a uniform thickness over
its length and breadth, and a portion of the absorbent 4
corresponding to a body-fluid ejection part may have a swelling
shape.
The absorbent 4 is preferably produced by fiber stacking or an
air-laid method.
The side nonwoven fabrics 7 may be implemented by a water-repellent
nonwoven fabric or a hydrophilically-treated nonwoven fabric.
For example, a water-repellent nonwoven fabric coated with a
silicon-, paraffin-, or alkylchromic-chloride-repellent is
preferably used to more effectively prevent penetration of body
fluids such as blood and discharge or to improve the feel.
Also, a hydrophilically-treated nonwoven fabric is preferably used
to improve the function of the hip-hold portion H for absorbing a
body fluid such as blood.
As a type of the nonwoven fabric, an air-through nonwoven fabric,
which is soft and unlikely to be creased and wrinkled, is
preferably used.
Embossed portions where dot embossments or embossments with
predetermined shapes are formed may be provided at predetermined
positions on the outer edges of the side areas 10 of the hip-hold
portion H and the wings WG of the wing portion W to join the side
nonwoven fabrics 7 to the back-side sheet 2 and to increase the
rigidity.
Compressed grooves (fit embossments) 16 may be formed on the body 8
to improve the contact between the absorbent article 1 and the
user's body and to prevent leakage.
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the compressed grooves 16 include a
front compressed groove 16a that is mostly located closer to the
front end than the wing portion W, a middle compressed groove 16b
extending in the longitudinal direction to surround a body fluid
ejection area 13, and a first rear compressed groove 16c and a
second rear compressed groove 16d that are mostly located in the
hip-hold portion H and correspond to an area from the gluteal cleft
to the hip.
<Hip-Hold Portion>
The absorbent article 1 of the present embodiment includes the
hip-hold portion H.
The hip-hold portion H is an area-expanded portion formed by
increasing the length and width of rear side-portions and a
rear-end portion of the absorbent article 1. As illustrated in FIG.
6, when the hip-hold portion H is attached to the inner surface of
an underwear S at a position corresponding to the hip, the hip-hold
portion H can prevent leakage of a body fluid from the absorbent
article 1 in backward and/or obliquely-backward directions.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the hip-hold portion H includes flap-like
portions that are formed by stacking the side nonwoven fabrics 7 on
the back-side sheet 2 and extend from rear side-portions to the
rear end of the body 8 of the absorbent article 1.
The hip-hold portion H includes the side areas 10 protruding from
the rear side-edges of the body 8 and a rear area 11 protruding
from the rear end of the body 8.
The side areas 10 of the hip-hold portion H are composed mainly of
areas formed by bonding the back-side sheet 2 to the side nonwoven
fabrics 7, and the rear area 11 is composed mainly of an area
formed by bonding the back-side sheet 2 to the upper-side sheet
3.
The side areas 10 and the rear area 11 of the hip-hold portion H
preferably do not include the absorbent 4 and are preferably
thinner than the body 8.
This configuration enables the side areas 10 and the rear area 11
to move more flexibly than the body 8.
Alternatively, an absorbent thinner than the absorbent 4 included
in the body 8 may be provided between the back-side sheet 2 and the
side nonwoven fabrics 7 in the hip-hold portion H.
The hip-hold portion H may extend from the rear end of a crotch of
an underwear to the rear end of the absorbent article 1 when the
absorbent article 1 is worn.
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the hip-hold portion H extends in the
longitudinal direction from the front end of a second protruding
portion 22 located adjacent to the front end of a second recessed
portion 32 to the rear end of the absorbent article 1.
For example, the length of the hip-hold portion H in the
longitudinal direction is preferably between 5 cm and 20 cm and
more preferably between 8 cm and 18 cm.
The total length of the absorbent article 1 may be greater than or
equal to 27 cm, may be greater than or equal to 30 cm, and may be
less than or equal to 45 cm.
The percentage of the length of the hip-hold portion H relative to
the total length is preferably between 10% and 50%.
The hip-hold portion H may include a widest portion of the
absorbent article 1, and the width of the widest portion is
preferably between 12 cm and 23 cm.
<Outer Shape of Hip-Hold Portion>
The outline (contour) of the hip-hold portion H includes
protrusions and recesses.
For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, each of the side areas 10 of
the hip-hold portion H includes a first protruding portion 21
including a portion having a largest width from the longitudinal
centerline of the body 8, a first recessed portion 31 adjacent to
the rear end of the first protruding portion 21, and a second
recessed portion 32 adjacent to the front end of the first
protruding portion 21.
The rear area 11 of the hip-hold portion H protruding from the rear
end of the body 8 may also include protruding portions and recessed
portions as illustrated in FIG. 1.
Below, an effect of forming protrusions and recesses in the outline
of the hip-hold portion H is described.
The hip-hold portion H has a substantially planar shape.
When the planar hip-hold portion H is brought into contact with the
hip, the peripheral areas (the side areas 10 and the rear area 11)
of the hip-hold portion H may be distorted and wrinkled due to the
difference between the planar shape of the hip-hold portion H and
the curved surface shape of the hip.
The size and number of wrinkles to be formed depend on the total
area of the hip-hold portion H and the shapes of curved surfaces of
the hip. If the protrusions and recesses described above are not
formed in the outline of the hip-hold portion H, wrinkles and
twists may be formed at multiple positions in the peripheral areas
of the hip-hold portion H.
If such wrinkles contact the skin of the hip, the user may feel
uncomfortable. Particularly, when the user is sitting on a chair
for a long time or lying on the back at night, a part of the body
weight is applied to the hip, and the uncomfortableness or the
discomfort increases.
Also, when the body weight applied to the hip or the state of
contact between the hip and the hip-hold portion H changes due to
changes in the posture of the user during sleep or changes in the
posture of the user sitting on a chair, the size of wrinkles may
further increase.
Further, when the user is sleeping on the back or side at night,
body fluids are more likely to leak through a gap formed by the
wrinkles.
In the present embodiment, the first protruding portion 21 and the
first and second recessed portions 31 and 32 located adjacent to
the ends of the first protruding portion 21 are formed in the
hip-hold portion H. With this configuration, even if a force that
causes wrinkles is applied to the first protruding portion 21, the
force is not transmitted to the entire hip-hold portion H and is
only transmitted up to the first recessed portion 31 and the second
recessed portion 32 where stress tends to concentrate.
Accordingly, this configuration makes it possible to prevent
wrinkles from extending into the area of the middle portion M that
is close to a part around the leg where wrinkles particularly cause
discomfort.
That is, the first protruding portion 21 can deform independently
without significantly affecting portions adjacent to the first
protruding portion 21.
Accordingly, when the hip-hold portion H is brought into contact
with the curved surface of the hip to wear the absorbent article,
the hip-hold portion H can be deformed along the curved surface of
the hip.
This also improves the fit of the hip-hold portion H to the
hip.
The radii of curvature (in " "mm") of the first protruding portion
21, the first recessed portion 31, and the second recessed portion
32 formed in the side areas 10 of the hip-hold portion H are
selected appropriately according to the shapes and sizes of the
body 8 and the hip-hold portion H and are not limited to specific
values.
For example, the radius of curvature of the first protruding
portion 21 may be 25-35 mm, the radius of curvature of the first
recessed portion 31 may be 15-mm, and the radius of curvature of
the second recessed portion 32 may be 10-20 mm.
Also, when the second protruding portion 22 is formed adjacent to
the front end of the second recessed portion 32, the radius of
curvature of the second protruding portion 22 may be 36-46 mm.
When a third protruding portion 23 is formed adjacent to the rear
end of the first recessed portion 31, the radius of curvature of
the third protruding portion 23 may be 30-40 mm.
In the present embodiment, the first protruding portion 21, the
first recessed portion 31, and the second recessed portion 32 are
formed in each of the side areas 10 of the hip-hold portion H. In
the example of FIG. 1, the second protruding portion 22 adjacent to
the front end of the second recessed portion 32 and the third
protruding portion 23 adjacent to the rear end of the first
recessed portion 31 are also formed.
However, the number and shapes of protruding portions and recessed
portions are not limited those illustrated in FIG. 1.
For example, one through five protruding portions and two through
five recessed portions may be formed in each of the side areas 10
of the hip-hold portion H.
<Individually-Packaged Absorbent Article>
The present embodiment is related to an individually-packaged
absorbent article, i.e., the absorbent article 1 that is
individually packaged to be able to be conveniently and
hygienically carried.
The individually-packaged absorbent article includes the absorbent
article 1 and a packaging sheet 18.
The packaging sheet 18 preferably has a shape that can wrap the
absorbent article 1.
For example, the packaging sheet 18 may have a rectangular shape in
plan view as illustrated in FIGS. 5A through 5E.
Alternatively, the packaging sheet 18 may have a square shape in
plan view.
The packaging sheet 18 may be formed of, for example, a polyolefin
film formed of polypropylene or polyethylene, a film formed of
polyester or polyvinyl alcohol, a nonwoven fabric, or a laminated
nonwoven fabric (such as a polyethylene-laminated nonwoven
fabric).
When weight is given to printed designs, a film is preferably used;
and when weight is given to the texture and softness, a nonwoven
fabric is preferably used.
The absorbent article is individually packaged after being folded.
The absorbent article is preferably folded in three or more and is
more preferably folded in four or more, along fold lines that are
substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.
Folding the absorbent article in four or more (with three or more
fold lines) makes it possible to provide a compact product that can
be easily carried and stored even if the absorbent article is
long.
In addition to folding the absorbent article along fold lines that
are substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, the
side areas 10 of the hip-hold portion H and the wings WG are
preferably folded inward along the side edges of the body 8.
That is, the side areas 10 and the wings WG are preferably folded
along fold lines L0 (FIG. 5A) extending in the longitudinal
direction.
Folding the side expanded portions makes it easier to carry the
individually-packaged absorbent article.
The side areas 10 of the hip-hold portion H and the wings WG are
thin flap-shaped portions. Therefore, the side areas 10 and the
wings WG are preferably folded along the longitudinal direction
before the absorbent article is folded along fold lines
substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction so that
formation of unnecessary wrinkles in the side areas 10 and the
wings WG can be reduced.
<Mountain Fold Lines>
The absorbent article 1 of the present embodiment is folded such
that a mountain fold line Y is formed in the side areas 10 of the
hip-hold portion H.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a part of one of the side areas 10 of
the hip-hold portion H.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the mountain fold line Y intersects with
an edge of the side area 10 of the hip-hold portion H at a position
between a first inflection point F1 between the first recessed
portion and the first protruding portion 21 and a second inflection
point F2 between the first protruding portion 21 and the second
recessed portion 32 and is substantially orthogonal to the
longitudinal centerline CL.
That is, the fold line Y formed in the hip-hold portion H
intersects with the edge of the widest first protruding portion 21
at a position near the peak of the first protruding portion 21 and
is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal centerline CL.
Here, a mountain fold line is a line that is formed by folding the
absorbent article 1 such that the upper side (the side on which the
upper-side sheet 3 is provided) of the absorbent article 1
protrudes upward to form a mountain-like shape.
Also, "substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal centerline CL"
does not necessarily indicate that the fold line Y is exactly
orthogonal to the longitudinal centerline CL. For example, the fold
line Y may form an angle of .+-.15 degrees with the longitudinal
centerline CL and may preferably form an angle of .+-.5 degrees
with the longitudinal centerline CL.
The mountain fold line Y is preferably formed at a distance of less
than or equal to 15 mm, is more preferably formed at a distance of
less than or equal to 8 mm, and is further preferably formed at a
distance of less than or equal to 5 mm, from the peak of the first
protruding portion 21 in the forward or backward direction.
Also, the mountain fold line Y is more preferably a line that
passes through the peak of the first protruding portion 21 and is
orthogonal to the longitudinal centerline CL.
Further, the mountain fold line Y may extend to a position near the
side edge of the body 8, and may preferably extend to the closest
longitudinal fold line L0 or to the side edge of the body 8.
Generally, when an absorbent article is worn, wrinkles and twists
(which may be hereafter simply referred to as wrinkles) tend to be
randomly formed (with irregular depths and lengths) in the side
areas 10 and the rear area 11 of the hip-hold portion H.
This tendency is especially prominent in the first protruding
portion 21 that is a widest part in the side area 10.
When the wrinkles in the first protruding portion 21 contact the
skin, the wrinkles may cause discomfort.
In the present embodiment, the absorbent article 1 is folded such
that the mountain fold line Y is formed near the first protruding
portion 21 of the side area 10 of the hip-hold portion H.
The mountain fold line Y is maintained, i.e., the fold at the
mountain fold line Y is protruding on the side of the upper-side
sheet 3, even when the package is opened to use the absorbent
article 1.
Therefore, when the absorbent article 1 is worn, the protruding
portion along the mountain fold line Y protrudes toward the hip and
contacts the skin first.
When the hip-hold portion H is set along the hip, the protruding
portion along the mountain fold line Y is immediately pressed
toward the underwear by a force of the hip.
As a result, areas on the opposite sides of the mountain fold line
Y are naturally pushed toward the adjacent first and second
recessed portions 31 and 32.
When the areas on the opposite sides of the mountain fold line Y
are pushed as described above, the first protruding portion 21,
which is most likely to move and where wrinkles are most likely to
be formed among parts of the hip-hold portion H, is smoothly
stretched in the longitudinal direction.
This in turn makes it possible to prevent formation of wrinkles in
the first protruding portion 21.
As described above, because the first protruding portion 21 is the
widest area in the absorbent article 1, irregular wrinkles formed
in the first protruding portion 21 may directly cause
discomfort.
The present embodiment can suppress formation of wrinkles in the
first protruding portion 21 with a large area and thereby improve
the wear comfort of the absorbent article 1.
Also, even when a large force is applied to the side areas 10 of
the hip-hold portion H and formation of wrinkles cannot be
prevented, the wrinkles are mainly formed in recessed portions such
as the first recessed portion 31 and the second recessed portion 32
were stress tends to concentrate.
Because the length of a recessed portion in the width direction is
less than the length of a protruding portion in the width
direction, the length of wrinkles formed in the recessed portion is
less than the length of wrinkles formed in the protruding portion.
Therefore, the discomfort caused by the wrinkles formed in the
recessed portion is less than the discomfort caused by the wrinkles
formed in the protruding portion with a greater width.
As described above, in the individually-packaged absorbent article
of the present embodiment, protrusions and recesses are formed in
the side areas 10 of the hip-hold portion H, and the absorbent
article is folded such that the mountain fold line Y is formed near
the first protruding portion 21. This configuration enables the
absorbent article to better fit the body and makes it possible to
effectively prevent or reduce discomfort.
The mountain fold line Y may or may not extend continuously from
the peak of the first protruding portion 21 to the side edge of the
body 8.
For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the mountain fold line Y may
extend from a position near the peak of the first protruding
portion 21 to the middle of the first protruding portion 21.
Multiple mountain fold lines Y may be formed when the mountain fold
lines Y intersect with the edge of the side area 10 of the hip-hold
portion H at positions between the first inflection point F1 and
the second inflection point F2 and are substantially orthogonal to
the longitudinal centerline CL. However, if a large number of
mountain fold lines Y are provided, the mountain fold lines Y
themselves cause discomfort and may reduce the effect of reducing
discomfort by stretching randomly formed wrinkles toward
surrounding areas. Therefore, the number of mountain fold lines Y
is preferably one and is less than or equal to three at a
maximum.
The side areas 10 of the hip-hold portion H are preferably folded
along the longitudinal fold lines L0 (FIG. 5A) as described
above.
The positional relationship between the mountain fold line Y and
the first and second recessed portions 31 and 32 is described below
with reference to FIG. 4 that is an enlarged view of a part of one
of the side areas 10 of the hip-hold portion H.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, an angle .alpha.1 formed between the
mountain fold line Y (or its extension) and a straight line X1,
which passes through an intersection point A of the mountain fold
line Y (or its extension) with the longitudinal fold line L0 and a
bottom point of the first recessed portion 31, is preferably
between 30 and 60 degrees and more preferably between 35 and 45
degrees.
Similarly, an angle .alpha.2 formed between the mountain fold line
Y and a straight line X2, which passes through the intersection
point A and a bottom point of the second recessed portion 32, is
preferably between 30 and 60 degrees and more preferably between 35
and 45 degrees.
In the present application, the bottom point of the first recessed
portion 31 is a point at the bottom of a recess between the first
protruding portion 21 and the third protruding portion 23 that are
adjacent to the first recessed portion 31. When a line contacting
both the first protruding portion 21 and the third protruding
portion 23 (a line passing through the peak of the first protruding
portion 21 and the peak of the third protruding portion 23) is
drawn and a normal line is drawn from the line to the first
recessed portion 31, the bottom point of the first recessed portion
31 corresponds to a position at which the length of the normal line
becomes longest.
The bottom point of the second recessed portion 32 is a point at
the bottom of a recess between the first protruding portion 21 and
the second protruding portion 22 that are adjacent to the second
recessed portion 32. When a line contacting both the first
protruding portion 21 and the second protruding portion 22 (a line
passing through the peak of the first protruding portion 21 and the
peak of the second protruding portion 22) is drawn and a normal
line is drawn from the line to the second recessed portion 32, the
bottom point of the second recessed portion 32 corresponds to a
position at which the length of the normal line becomes
longest.
Setting the relationship between the position of the mountain fold
line Y and the position of the first recessed portion 31 and the
relationship between the position of the mountain fold line Y and
the position of the second recessed portion 32 to satisfy the
conditions described above makes it possible to provide appropriate
areas on the sides of the first protruding portion 21 so that a
wrinkle-forming force applied to the first protruding portion 21
can be transferred to surrounding areas.
That is, setting the angles .alpha.1 and .alpha.2 at values greater
than or equal to 30 degrees makes it possible to prevent wrinkles
from being formed at a position near the first protruding portion
21 and increasing discomfort. Also, setting the angles .alpha.1 and
.alpha.2 at values less than or equal to 60 degrees makes it
possible to concentrate wrinkles in recessed portions even when the
wrinkles are formed due to excessive concentration of stress.
The angles .alpha.1 and .alpha.2 may be the same or different from
each other.
When the user is sitting on a chair, for example, the hip tends to
move relative to the hip-hold portion H from a backward position to
a forward position, and the skin tends to contact the hip-hold
portion H at a position near the front end of the first protruding
portion 21.
Even in such a case, if the angle .alpha.2 is greater than the
angle .alpha.1, a wider area in front of the first protruding
portion 21 is stretched. As a result, formation of irregular
wrinkles can be prevented, and discomfort can be reduced.
<Slip Stopper>
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, slip stoppers 9 are provided on
the back-side sheet 2 of the hip-hold portion H to fix the
absorbent article 1.
The slip stoppers 9 are adhesive or non-adhesive layers. The
hip-hold portion H is attached via the slip stoppers 9 to the
underwear to prevent the hip-hold portion H from moving from a
predetermined position on the underwear.
The slip stoppers 9 may be implemented by adhesive or non-adhesive
layers.
For example, the adhesive layers may be composed essentially of a
styrene polymer, a tackifier, a plasticizer, or a combination of
them.
Examples of the tackifier and the plasticizer include ester
polymers and various types of petroleum resins that are solid at
ambient temperature.
The non-adhesive layers may be implemented by an elastomer such as
rubber.
In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the slip
stopper 9 may be disposed in a position near the bottom point of
the second recessed portion 32.
The slip stopper 9 is preferably disposed to extend across the
straight line X2 passing through the intersection point A of the
mountain fold line Y (or its extension) with the longitudinal fold
line L0 and the bottom point of the second recessed portion 32.
With this configuration, even when stress excessively concentrates
on an area near the second recessed portion 32, the stress is
distributed because the area near the second recessed portion 32 is
fixed to the underwear. Accordingly, this configuration makes it
possible to prevent or reduce formation of wrinkles or formation of
large wrinkles.
Also, because the slip stopper 9 is formed near the second recessed
portion 32 that is relatively close to an area around the leg, the
slip stopper 9 can prevent formation of wrinkles and twists in the
area around the leg where discomfort tends to be particularly felt
and can maintain the wear comfort of the absorbent article 1.
In the present embodiment, the radius of curvature of the first
protruding portion 21 is preferably greater than the radius of
curvature of the first recessed portion 31 and the radius of
curvature of the second recessed portion 32.
That is, indentations at the first recessed portion 31 and the
second recessed portion 32 are preferably deep.
This facilitates formation of the mountain fold line Y in the first
protruding portion 21 when the absorbent article is folded.
With this configuration, even when a force causing wrinkles and
twists is applied to the first protruding portion 21, the wrinkles
and twists can be effectively transferred to areas adjacent to the
first protruding portion 21, i.e., to the first recessed portion 31
and the second recessed portion 32.
<Method of Folding Absorbent Article>
A method of folding the absorbent article 1 is described in detail
below.
In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A through 5E,
the absorbent article 1 is folded in four in the longitudinal
direction of the absorbent article 1 together with the packaging
sheet 18 and a release sheet 19.
Folding the absorbent article 1 in four makes it easier to carry
the absorbent articles 1 even if its size is large.
However, depending on the size and use of the absorbent article 1,
the absorbent article 1 may be folded in three.
In a folding process, the absorbent article 1 is first placed on
the packaging sheet 18 as illustrated in FIG. 5A.
The packaging sheet 18 preferably has a width that is substantially
equal to or greater than a larger one of the maximum width of the
hip-hold portion H and the maximum width of the wing portion W.
Also, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, the length of the packaging sheet
18 in the longitudinal direction may not necessarily be greater
than the length of the absorbent article 1 in the longitudinal
direction.
Even in this case, the absorbent article 1 is preferably placed on
the packaging sheet 18 such that the front end of the packaging
sheet 18 is located ahead of the front end of the absorbent article
1.
Next, as indicated by arrows in FIG. 5A, flap-like portions
extending outward from the side edges of the body 8, i.e., the side
areas 10 of the hip-hold portion H and the wings WG, are folded
inward (toward the upper-side sheet 3) along the longitudinal fold
lines L0.
As a result of folding the side areas 10 and the wings WG inward,
valley fold lines are formed in the longitudinal direction along
the side edges of the body 8. Accordingly, when the absorbent
article 1 is taken out of the package and worn, the side areas 10
of the hip-hold portion H form a shape to cover the hip. Thus, this
configuration enables the absorbent article 1 to better fit the
hip.
When the side areas 10 and the wings WG are folded, the slip
stoppers 9 on the back-side sheet 2 appear on the upper side. To
maintain the adhesion of the slip stoppers 9, the release sheet 19
is placed on the slip stoppers 9.
FIG. 5B illustrates a state after the release sheet 19 is
placed.
The release sheet 19 may have a rectangular shape as illustrated in
FIG. 5B. However, the shape of the release sheet 19 is not limited
to the rectangular shape and may instead be, for example, an oval
shape as long as the release sheet 19 can be placed to cover the
slip stoppers 9 during the folding process.
Also, multiple release sheets 19 may be provided to respectively
cover the slip stoppers 9 on the wings WG and the side areas 10 of
the hip-hold portion H.
The release sheet 19 may be implemented by, for example, paper, a
polyolefin film formed of polypropylene or polyethylene, a film
formed of polyester or polyvinyl alcohol, a nonwoven fabric, or a
laminated nonwoven fabric (such as a polyethylene-laminated
nonwoven fabric) including a contact surface that contacts the slip
stoppers 9 and on which a release treatment is performed.
The release treatment may be performed by applying or spraying a
release treatment liquid such as a silicone resin, a fluorine
resin, or a tetrafluoroethylene resin onto the contact surface.
Also, any film or nonwoven fabric on which no release treatment is
performed may be used as the release sheet 19 as long as it can be
easily removed from the slip stoppers 9 and does not decrease the
adhesion of the slip stoppers 9.
After the release sheet 19 is placed, the absorbent article 1 is
folded along a first fold line L1 together with the packaging sheet
18 from the side of the hip-hold portion H.
FIG. 5C illustrates a state after the absorbent article 1 is folded
along the first fold line L1.
As a result of folding the absorbent article 1 along the first fold
line L1, the mountain fold line Y is firmed in each side area 10 of
the hip-hold portion H. As described above, the mountain fold line
Y intersects with an edge of the side area 10 of the hip-hold
portion H at a position between the first inflection point between
the first recessed portion 31 and the first protruding portion 21
and the second inflection point between the first protruding
portion 21 and the second recessed portion 32 and is substantially
orthogonal to the longitudinal centerline CL.
The mountain fold line Y is preferably formed to pass through the
peak of the first protruding portion 21 and to extend in a
direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal centerline CL.
Next, the absorbent article 1 is folded inward from the rear side
together with the packaging sheet 18 along a second fold line L2
located ahead of the first fold line L1.
FIG. 5D illustrates a state after the absorbent article 1 is folded
along the second fold line L2.
The second fold line L2 is formed to cross the middle portion M
located behind the wing portion W in the width direction, and is
preferably formed in an area other than the body fluid ejection
area 13 (FIG. 1) so that the absorption performance of the body
fluid ejection area 13 is not decreased as a result of bending the
absorbent article 1.
Also, the second fold line L2 is preferably formed ahead of the
first rear compressed groove 16c (FIG. 1) of the compressed grooves
16, which corresponds to an area from the gluteal cleft to the hip,
to prevent bending the first rear compressed groove 16c and
degrading its function.
After being folded along the second fold line L2, the absorbent
article 1 is folded from the front side (from the upper side in
FIG. 5D) as indicated by arrows in FIG. 5D along a third fold line
L3 ahead of the second fold line L2.
The third fold line L3 is preferably located ahead of the wing
portion W to prevent formation of wrinkles in the wings WG.
FIG. 5E illustrates the individually-packaged absorbent article
obtained by folding the absorbent article 1 along the third fold
line L3.
After the absorbent article 1 is folded along the third fold line
L3, the ends of the packaging sheet may be joined by using, for
example, embossing, thermal bonding, or an adhesive.
Also, the front end of the packaging sheet 18 of the
individually-packaged absorbent article may be fixed using, for
example, a sealing tape, embossing, thermal bonding, or an adhesive
to prevent the front end of the packaging sheet 18 from
opening.
In the present embodiment, the entire absorbent article 1 is folded
in the longitudinal direction after folding the side areas 10 of
the hip-hold portion H and the wings WG of the wing portion W
inward as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 5A.
Alternatively, in the initial step, the side areas 10 of the
hip-hold portion H and the wings WG of the wing portion W may be
folded in directions that are opposite the directions indicated by
the arrows in FIG. 5A. That is, the side edges of the body 8 may be
folded outward (toward the back-side sheet 2) along the
longitudinal direction.
Even when the side edges are folded outward, the mountain fold
lines Y can be formed in the side areas 10 of the hip-hold portion
H by folding the absorbent article 1 in the longitudinal direction
such that the upper-side sheet 3 faces inward.
The first fold line L1 may be located at a distance between 30 mm
and 200 mm from the rear end of the absorbent article 1.
The second fold line L2 is preferably located at a distance between
120 mm and 350 mm from the rear end of the absorbent article 1.
The third fold line L3 is preferably located at a distance between
50 mm and 100 mm from the front end of the absorbent article 1.
In the embodiment illustrated by the figures, the slip stoppers 9
are provided beforehand on the back-side sheet 2 of the absorbent
article 1, and the release sheet 19 is provided to cover the slip
stoppers 9. However, the slip stoppers 9 may be provided on the
release sheet 19 instead of on the absorbent article 1.
That is, the slip stoppers 9 may be provided on the release sheet
19 such that when the release sheet 19 is placed on the absorbent
article 1 that is folded inward along the longitudinal fold lines
L0, the slip stoppers 9 face the desired positions on the wings WG
and the side areas 10 of the hip-hold portion H of the absorbent
article 1.
Then, the release sheet 19 with the slip stoppers 9 is placed on
the absorbent article 1 folded inward along the longitudinal fold
lines L0 such that the surface of the release sheet 19 on which the
slip stoppers 9 are provided faces the absorbent article 1. Even in
this case, similarly to the above embodiment, the absorbent article
1 can be folded along the first fold line L1, the second fold line
L2, and the third fold line L3 in this order.
When the slip stoppers 9 are provided beforehand on the release
sheet 19 as described above, an adhesive may be applied to the
surfaces of the slip stoppers 9 facing the absorbent article 1 so
that the slip stoppers 9 can be fixed to the back-side sheet 2 of
the absorbent article 1.
In the above embodiment, the mountain fold line Y is formed when
the absorbent article 1 is folded for packaging. Alternatively, the
mountain fold line Y may be formed in advance in the absorbent
article 1.
In this case, the mountain fold line Y may be formed by, for
example, a folding process or a compression process.
For example, in the state as illustrated in FIG. 5A where the
absorbent article 1 is spread out, the mountain fold lines Y can be
formed at least in the side areas 10 of the hip-hold portion H.
When the mountain fold lines Y are formed in advance, the absorbent
article 1 may be individually packaged in the state illustrated in
FIG. 5B without folding the absorbent article 1 in the longitudinal
direction.
That is, the absorbent article 1 may be individually packaged in a
state where the flap-like portions extending outward from the side
edges of the body 8, i.e., the side areas 10 of the hip-hold
portion H and the wings WG, are folded inward.
In this case, the width of the packaging sheet may be substantially
the same as the width of the absorbent article 1 folded inward or
outward along the longitudinal fold lines L0 (that is approximately
the same as the width of the body 8).
Also, multiple absorbent articles 1 folded along the longitudinal
fold lines L0 may be stacked and packaged together.
This approach makes it possible to package a stack of multiple
absorbent articles 1 without much increasing the bulk and carry
them in the form of a thin package.
Also, this packaging method makes it possible to reduce the time
and effort to take out the absorbent articles 1 from the package
and is therefore useful in applications where a large number of
absorbent articles 1 are used one after another.
The present application is based on and claims priority to Japanese
Patent Application No. 2016-229538 filed on Nov. 25, 2016, the
entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
1 Absorbent article 2 Back-side sheet 3 Upper-side sheet 4
Absorbent 5 Enveloping sheet 7 Side nonwoven fabric 8 Body
(absorbent article body) 9 Slip stopper 10 Side areas 11 Rear area
13 Body fluid ejection area 16a-16d Compressed groove 18 Packaging
sheet 19 Releasing sheet 21 First protruding portion 22 Second
protruding portion 23 Third protruding portion 31 First recessed
portion 32 Second recessed portion A Intersection between
longitudinal fold line and mountain fold line CL Longitudinal
centerline H Hip-hold portion L0 Longitudinal hold line L1 First
hold line L2 Second hold line L3 Third hold line M Middle portion S
Underwear W Wing portion WG Wing Y Mountain fold line
* * * * *